Flow-indicating means for distribution systems.



J. D. NELSON.

FLOW INDICATING MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.

APPUCATION FILED JAN. 9,1913.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

THE cOLuMBlA FLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c;

san rns PATENT i JAMES 1). NELSON, OF CINCINNATI, 0H1), ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO MESSENGER AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, 1.'CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FLQ'W-INDICATING IMEANS FOR- DISTR-IBUTION SYSTEMS.

Application filed January 9, 1913.

To all whom it m 013 concern:

Be it known that T, JAMES D. NELSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flow-Indicating Means for Distribution Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to distribution systems and particularly to means for indicating flows in distribution systems of automatic tire extinguisher sprinklers. Various means have been employed, in connection with such distribution systems, for indicating variations in pressure within the system or variations of flow through the system, and my present invention is to produce improved means, which will more accurately and efiectively indicate a flow through a distribution system, than other mechanisms which have heretofore been employed for that purpose.

A further object is to produce a sensitive mechanism, which is accurate in its operation of indi ating a flow through the system but which will not respond to, or be rendered operative by, pressure variations in the system resulting from water-hammer, or similar causes.

These and other objects I attain by means of a mechanism embodying the features herein described and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application.

In the drawing I have diagrammatically illustrated a tragmental sectional view of a distribution system in connection with a diagrammatic arrangement of apparatus.

which embodies my invention.

The apparatus illustrated includes a distribution pipe 3, in which a flow controlled, or flap valve, 4 is located. The valve l forms a part of a mechanism which controls the operation of an indicator device or clock mechanism 6, diagrammatically shown in the drawings. The apparatus also includes pressure responsive means 7 which communicates with the pipe 3 and is adapted to cooperate with the mechanism 5 in controlling the operation of the indicating device or clock mechanism and which prevents the clock mechanism from operating when the mechanism 5 has operated in response to a momentary variation in the pressure within the sys- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb 1, 1916.

Serial No. 740,950.

tem occasioned by water-hammer or similar cause.

The clock mechanism 6 may, of: course, be replaced by any form of alarm or indicating apparatus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and is illustrated merely for convenience. For the purpose of description, and in order to give a full and complete description 01 my invention, it may be said that the clock mechanism may be similar to the clock mechanism disclosed in my pending application serially numbered 607,538, and, as illustrated, is provided with a control wheel 8, which is mounted on the arbor 9 of the escapen'lent wheel 11. The control wheel 8 is provided with two stops 12 and 13, which respectively co'ciperate with fingers 1 1- and 15, in rendering the clock mechanism inoperative, or, in other words, in preventing the escapement wheel 11 from turning. The linger 1% is a part of the flow controlled mechanism and, as shown, extends through a diaphragm 16, which covers a port formed in a valve casing 17 of the distribution s stem, and is employed for the purpose of permitting the finger to freely move to dil'lerent positions. The valve 4, as shown, is pivotally secured to one wall of the casing 17 by means of an arm 18, and is capable of being lifted by the water pressure to an open position, in which it permits a tree flow of water through the casing in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing. A. bracket 19 is shown so mounted on the valve t that it engages the inner end of the finger 1 when the valve is inthe closed position, and thereby moves it to such a position that its outer end stands in the path of travel of the in 15 on the wheel 8. This prevents the wheel 8 from turning and thereby locks the clock mechanism. The finger 1 1 is held in this position in opposition to the tension of a spring 20, which operates to move the outer end of the finger out of the path of travel or the stop 12, when the valve at is open and the bracket 100 19 is out of engagement with its inner end. The motion of the finger 1n response to the pull of the spring 1s retarded by a retarding device 21, which, as illustrated, consists ot a cylinder 21, in which a cup shaped plun- 105 ger 22 is located. The upper end of the cylinder communicates with the interior of the casing 17 through a port 2%, iormed 111 the casing, and the plunger 22 is connected to the finger 14 by means of a rod 23, which projects through the port The bottom of the cup shaped plunger is provided with a port 25, which is controlled by a flap valve 26, in which a small orifice 27 is provided. The flap valve is so arranged that it readily opens in response to a downward motion of the plunger 22, imparted to it by the closing of the valve 1-, but is closed and held in the closed position by an upward movement of the plunger, occasioned by the pull of the spring on the finger 1 1. lVith this arrangement the plunger and consequently the finger 1 1, will move quickly in response to the closing of the valve 41-, since the valve 26 will permit a free flow of water through the plunger from the lower to the upper end of the cylinder 21. The plunger 22 and consequently the finger 1 1 will, however, move slowly in response to the pull of the spring 20, since the valve 26 will close when the plunger starts to move up, and the orifice 27 will discharge water from the upper to the lower end of the cylinder 21 at a relatively slow rate and consequently the upward motion of the plunger and the motion of the finger 1 1, will be impeded by the water confined in the upper end 01? the cylinder. Nhen the valve i opens in response to a variation in pressure, occasioned by opening one of the delivery nozzles with which it communicates, the bracket 19 releases the finger 14 and consequently permits the spring 20 to move the outer end of the finger to such av position that the stop 12 is released by it. During this motion of the finger the plunger 22 is moved upwardly and the water isplaced by it during this movement is delivered to the lower end of the cylinder through the orifice 27. When the valve at closes, the bracket 19 contacts with the finger 1 1 and moves its outer end to the position in the path of travel of the stop 12, and this motion of the finger is rapid, since the valve 4 is capable of exerting a relatively great force on it, and since the flap valve 26 permits a free delivery through the plunger, of the water in the lower end of the cylinder 21 and below the plunger.

The retarding device is employed for the purpose of preventing the indicating device or clock mechanism from being rendered operative by momentary increases of pressure within the pipe 3, which, under certain conditions, might cause the valve 1 to be momentarily opened.

I have also provided means which operate in response to momentary variations in pressure within the system, to lock the wheel 8 against rotation or to positively prevent the clock mechanism from operating. The finger 15 forms a part of the pressure responsive means and, as illustrated, is secured to, andextends through, a diaphragm thereby move the outer end 30, which covers a port formed in ,a pressure cylinder 31. The lower end of the cylinder 31 communicates through piping 32 with the pipe 3, and a riser 33 is so located within the cylinder that it directly communicates with the piping 32 and projects upwardly into an inverted cup-shaped plunger 3 1, which is mounted in the cyhnder 31. The plunger 34 is 'operatively connected to the innerfend of the finger 15, so that it normally holds the finger out of the path of travel of the stop 13, in opposition to the pull of a spring 35. The upper end of the cylinder 31 communicates with a U- tube 36, through a port 37, and the tube is adapted to be filled with mercury or other heavy liquid, for the purpose of counterbalancing the pressureof the water, within the pipe 3, on the plunger 34:- When the plunger 341- is subjected to an increase of water pressure, occasioned, for example, by water-hammer within the pipe 3, it rises and thereby permits the spring 35 to move the finger 15 into the path of travel of the stop 13. The increased pressure and the upward motion of the plunger occasionsa fiow of water through the piping 32 into the cylinder and it also causes the mercury to rise in the tube 36 and to increase the pressure within the cylinder and abovethe plunger. After the momentary pressure within the pipe 3 has abated, the increased pressure in the cylinder 31 above the plunger 34, tends to move the plunger downwardly and to of the finger 15 out of the path of travel of the stop 13. This downward motion of the plunger, however, is retarded by means of a valve 38, which, as illustrated, is a flap valve and is so located within the piping 32, that it will open and permit a free andunimpeded flow of water from the pipe 3 into the cylinder 3%, but will close when water tends to flow from the cylinder back into the pipe 3. In

the drawings the check valve 38 is provided '5 with an orifice 39 through which, from the cylinder 31, water may be delivered into the pipe 3when the valve is closed. With this arrangement the downward motion or" the h plunger 1s nnpeded, since the plunger can move no-faster than the water can be delivered through the orifice 39, and this retards the withdrawal of the finger 15 from the path of travel of the stop 13. The valve 38 is provided for the purpose of insuring 1 the return ofthe finger 1 1- into the path of travel of the stop 12 before the finger 15 is withdrawn from the pathof travel of the stop 1.3. When the pipe 3 is subjected to water-hammer the valve. opened and consequently the finger 1 1 tends to release the clock mechanism in response to the pull of the spring .20. The motion of the finger 14 is, however, retarded by the retarding plunger2'1, The momentary pres 4: is momentarily sure, which operates to lift the valve 4 also operates through the piping 32 and lifts the plunger 3% and thereby moves the finger 15 into the path of travel ofthe stop 13.

This motion of the plunger 3a is relatively rapid since the valve 38 permits a free flow of water through the pipe 32 into the cylinder and since the spring 35 aids in lifting the plunger; the finger l i therefore moves into the path of travel of the stop 18 before the Wheel 8' is released by the finger 14-. As the pressure in the pipe 3 returns to normal the valve 4 moves to its closed position and thereby quickly shifts the finger 14 to its normal position in the path of travel of the stop 12. The abating pressure also permits the plunger 3% to move to its normal position and to Withdraw the finger 15 from the path of travel of the engage the alarm device. Under such conditions the finger 15 is not moved from its normal position, since the flow of Water through the pipe 3 occasions a drop in pres sure and the cylinder 3a is not raised.

In accordance with the United States patent statutes, I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, but I desire it to be understood that various changes, modifications and sub stitutions may be made in the apparatus illustrated, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth by the appended claims.

hat I claim is:

1; In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, flow responsive means for controlling the operation of said device, a retarding device for retarding the operation of said means, pressure responsive means cooperating with said flow responsive means in controlling said retarding device and a. retarding device for retarding the operation of said pressure responsive means.

2. In combination With a Water distribution system, an indicating mechanism, a device for controlling the operation of said mechanism and operative in response to flow through said system, means for retarding the operation of said device, pressure responsive means for locking said mechanism during momentary increases in pressure within said system and means for retarding the operation of said pressure responsive means in releasing said device in response to decreasing pressure vvithin said system.

3. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, flow controlled means for releasing said alarm device during periods of fiovv through the system, a device for retarding the releasing movement of said means, a pressure responsive means for locking said alarm device during periods of excess pressure Within said system, and for releasing said alarm device during periods of normal pressure, and a retarding device for controlling the operation of said last mentioned means.

4:. In combination With a distribution system, an alarm device, flow controlled means for releasing said alarm device during periods of fioiv through said system, a device for retarding the releasing movement of said means, pressure responsive means for locking said alarm device during periods of momentary pressure Within said system and for releasing the alarm device during periods of normal pressure Within said system and a retarding device for retarding the releasing motion of said pressure responsive means.

5. In combination With a distribution system, an alarm device, a release finger for controlling the operation of said device, a flovv controlled valve for controlling the operation of said finger, a retarding device for retarding the releasing operation of said finger, and pressure responsive means cooperating With said finger in controlling the operation of said alarm device.

6. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a release finger for controlling the operation of said device, a

flow controlled valve for actuating said finger to lock said device, means for moving said finger to release said device, during periods of flow through the system, and a retarding device for retarding the releasing motion of said finger.

7. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a release finger for controlling the operation of said device, a flow controlled valve for controlling the operation of said finger, a retarding device for retarding the releasing operation of the finger, a locking finger for said alarm device, pressure controlled means for controlling the operation of said locking finger, and a retarding device for retarding the releasing motion of said retarding finger.

8. In combination in a distribution system, an alarm device, a release finger for locking said alarm device, a flow controlled valve within said system for holding said finger in a device-locking position, yielding means for moving said finger to release said device during periods of flow through said system and a retarding plunger for retarding the releasing operation of said finger.

9. In combination in a distribution sys tem, an indicating device, a release finger for controlling the operation of said device,

aflow controlled valve for holding said finger in a device-locking position when closed, means for moving said finger to release the device when the valve is open, a retarding device for retarding the releasing motion of the linger and a pressure responsive device for locking said alarm device when said of such abnormal condition.

11. I11 combination in a distribution system, a valve, a signal transmitter, a lever adapted to control the transmitter, a timing device adapted to retard the lever during its transmitter releasing motion, said timing device rendering the lever responsive to an abnormal condition of the valve, for a predetermined time to mechanically trip the transmitter, said timing device being adapted to permit said lever to be restored to its normal position by the valve.

12. In a flow indicating means for distribution systems, a check valve, a transmitter, a lever controlled by said valve and adapted to lock and unlock the transmitter, means for retarding the unlocking movement of the lever, and means whereby the lever may be instantly restored to its normal position by the valve, after abnormal operation of the valve, not caused by a How through the distribution system.

13. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a lever adapted to release said alarm device, a retard mechanism cooperating with said lever, a flow controlled valve adapted to release said alarm device by means of said lever, when the valve is held open for a predeteri'nined time, said valve being adapted to restore the lever to its normalposition when said valve is re stored to its normal position. V

14. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a cooperating lever and retard mechanism, adapted to control said alarm device, a flow controlled valve adapted to release said alarm device by means of said lever, when the valve has been held open for a predetermined time, and to restore said lever and said retard mechanism to their normal condition when; said valve has been in an open position for less than the predetermined time.

15. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a lever cooperating with the alarm device, a retard mechanism adapted to control the operation of said lever, a flow controlled valve adapted to actuate the lever and retard mechanism, means for causing said lever and retard mechanism to unlock said alarm device during periods,

ingadapted to restore said retard means to normal conditions simultaneously with the valve after periods of flow of lessthan the predetermined time.

17.111 combination with a distribution system, an alarmmechanism, a retard device, a lever controlled by said retard device and adapted to trip said alarm mechanism, a flow controlled valve adapted to release said lever, whereby said lever will trip the alarm mechanism when the valve is open for a predeterminedtime, said valve being adapted to restore said lever and retard device to normal conditions, upon closin 18. In combination with a distribution system, a flow responsive valve, an alarm device, mechanical means having retard-move ment, adapted to trip said alarm device, and means connecting the valve with said mechanical means, whereby the alarm device will be released by the valve during periods of flow within the system for a predetermined time, and whereby said mechanical means will be restored to normal conditions simultaneously with the valve after periods of flow of less than the predetermined time.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this7th day of January, 1913.

JAMES n. NELSON.

Witnesses:

E. Vi. MOOALLISTER, W. THORNTON Boenntr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. "Washington, D. C. 

